Universal scouring pad holder



ocr. 17, 195o G. A. R'EES 2,526,418

UNIVERSAL SCOURING PAD HOLDER Filed July 19, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet l' .EET-..5

IN V EN TOR.

@F0/P65 21. Rafe,

@MM/f@Mlm` oct. 17, 195o G, REES 2,526,418

UNIVERSAL scoURING PAD HOLDER v Filed July 19, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

Patented Oct. 17, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT orties 2,526,418 i UNIVERSAL SCOURING PAD HOLDER George A. Rees, St. Petersburg, Fla.

Application July 19, 1948, Serial No. 39,451

9 Claims.

This invention relates to scouring pads and holders therefor, and more particularly to scouring pads and holders therefor for pots, pans and other types of surfaces.

Steel wool, metal waste, glass wool or similar material is frequently used as a scouring, abrasive or polishing element to be held in the hand While being rubbed upon a hard surface, and the element may be Iusefully spaced from the hand by a rubber or other gloves Which are at times uncomfortable, inconvenient or unsanitary.

It has been common heretofore to package steel or other mineral wools as cleaning agents and sometimes the steel or other metal Wool has been impregnated with soap or other detergent material, which detergent is when Wet gradually supplied thro-ugh the interstices of the Wool wad to facilitate the mechanical cleansing action of the Wool. VWhere steel or other metal wool is used in the kitchen, for example, it has a tendency to roughen the skin `when.held in the hand, whether or not it contains soap. Frequently there exists a likelihood of serious infection as when the fingers are even slightly lacerated by the sharp edges of the metal wool and hence subject to contamination by harmful bacilli which 4usually are present. Despite the efaciency of materials such as steel Wool when directly applied to scrape normal plane surfaces, such eiiicie'ncy may be somewhat impaired when applied as a scouring or polishing element to other surfacessuch as` plane surfaces of limited area or crevices, or curved surfaces of radii too limited to. admit as effective scraping contact when the Woolis held in the hand. Many conventional surfaces of various containers and utensils such as kitchen pots and pans include crevices of such character, and an abrasive element so designed` as to extendv into such crevices and substantially to conform to thek crevice radius Vis essential Afor good cleansing thereof. If the bodyof such abrasive element be impregnated with some finely divided scouring material such as, grit,v Vsand or pumice and be somewhatresilient under 'pressure soA curvatures, in order that any of such surfacesY may be selected foriV application to scrape or polish recesses or crevices of substantially corresponding curvature.

In a preferred form of the invention a Wad of kitchen steel Wool is held by a holder Which latter rests in the hand. The holder is moulded of resilient abrasive bearing rubber recessed mainly to mount a spiral spring clamp for the Wool wad. Being designed comfortably to fit in the hand, the holder nevertheless has several external surfaces of differing curvature substantially to coincide with usual surfaces of conventional pots and pans to be cleansed. In one modified form of the invention the spring clamp may be arcuate in design, While in another modification the spring clamp is of ogee configuration.

One object of the invention is to provide a simple, economical, safe and sanitary holder for abrasive elements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combined cleanser element .andvholder for manual manipulation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a holder having surfaces substantially conform.- ing with the surfaces to be treated thereby.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a fabric holder for alternative selection of different surfaces for treatment contact. ,y

Another object of the invention is to provide in a wadded fabric holder a body of abrasivebearing rubber, said body being rm but nonrigid and recessed to hold a resilient clamp.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fabric holder of reliable, simple and economical.

design. l

Other objects of the invention will be deter-v mined from a reading of the following specifications and the accompanying Vdrawings forming apart thereof wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevation showing a preferred embodiment of the invention with its clamp uppermost, illustrated Without steel Wool for clarity;

Fig. 5 is a view showing 'the holder appliedy to scouring a small sauce pan;

Fig. 6 corresponds to Fig. 5 showing the holder` applied to scouring a larger pot;

Fig. 7 is a sectional View showing an alter-JV native clamp construction; v

Fig. 8 is taken on the line 8--8 of Fig. 7, showing the lower clamp member;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged section on the line 9 3 of Fig. 7 showing'a clamp assembly detail;

Fig. is a section showing another modied form of the clamp.

Referring to the drawings wherein identical parts are indicated by similar reference numerals.

One form of holder i I includes a main body portion I2 preferably molded of rubber composition including rubber and a suitable filler, such as wood flour, for the purpose of providing a body which will be stable and coherent, yet neX- ible under the pressure of the fingers. Preferably the rubber includes pumice, sand, grit, or abrasive material I3 for the purpose of scouring pots, pans, or other surfaces to be cleansed.

The bottom I4 of body II is rounded and one end I5 is provided with a recess I6 for metal clamp I1, the latter being of stainless steel or aluminum preferably. The body is rounded at the other end I8 having a curvature on an 8" radius, opposed ends l5 and I8 being connected by rounded side I9 having a l0" radius, and opposite rounded sides 2B having a l2 radius. End I8 is provided with rounded end portions 2I- having a 6" radius and 2Ia on a 4 radius. At the end I5 the body is provided with a bead 22 which extends inwardly over edge 23 of clamp base 24, the latter lying in a continuous groove 26 extending around recess I6. The latter recess isextended at 21 to provide clearance for actuating arm 28 of the clamp, such arm being connected by opposite outer ears 29-29 to shaft 3U carried in inner ears 3I-3I projecting upwardly from clamp base 24, such shaft 30 holding coiled spring 32.

One end 33 of spring 32 bears against the upper surface of clamp base 24, and the opposite end 34 engages theunder surface of arm 28 so as strongly to urge jaw 35 in a clockwise direction as is shown in Figure 2, thus urging it upon clamp base 24 for holding wad 31 of steel wool.

It Will be understood in this connection that the invention is not to be limited to steel Wool inasmuch as it also pertains to other cleansing wads` such as copper wire cleansing elements, copper wool, glass wool, and other mineral wools, whether or not the same is impregnated or coated with detergent material. The tension of spring 32 is comparatively strong inasmuch as it is essential that it normally hold wad 31 xed in the holder while the mineral wool is being vigorously rubbed upon the surfaces of pans, tins, and other utensils, or other surfaces to be cleansed. It is desired that the tension of the spring be suinciently strong to urge jaw 35 upon the mineral w'ool to such an extent that the release of the clamp can only be accomplished by a person exerting considerable force upon the opposite end of actuating arm 28 to open the clamp, as when removing or replenishing the mineral wool therein.

Referring to Figure 5 it will be observed that the mineral wool 31 engaged in the holder of the invention may be rotated about the pot 33. The pot 39 has a conventional handle 40, and the inside bottom 4I of the pot may be readily cleaned by scraping the same with the mineral wool 31, which may also be rubbed over. the inside side 42 of the pot for cleansing purposes.

By referring to Figure 6 it will be apparent thatconventional pot 44 having handle 45 may be carefully and completely polished, any particularly stubborn spots being removed therefrom by polishing with the body portion of the holder, the operator addressing the body to the stain and rubbing vigorously to remove the same by virtue of the pumice, sand or other abrasive in the rubber body. It is recognized in this connection that different pots and utensils have various precise designs, and the curvature of different body portions thereof will vary as the size and design of the utensil varies. In order to enable the abrasive-bearing body of the holder most efficiently to perform its brightening function, the operator with very short practice will be able to select one of the several curved surfaces I4, I8, I9, 20, 2I and 2Ia, which will accurately correspond with the stained surface in order to eliminate possibility of any uncleansed crevices or recesses remaining after the polishing operation.

From the foregoing it will be observed that there has been provided a safe and sanitary holder for protecting users in the use of steel, copper, glass or other mineral wool cleansing materials, and preventing infection and contamination thereby. The holder may be readily and conveniently loaded with the replaceable Iwool wad 31 simply by operation of the actuating arm 28 in the manner described.

Although the sand, grit, pumice or other abrasive in the rubber body is ecacious under pressure to remove the most stubborn stains, the abrasive is normally embodied in the filled rubber body, so that the operator may safely grasp the same in the hand without danger of the hand being roughened by the grit.

It will be observed that the general design of the holder is to enable it conveniently to be engaged in the palm of the hand, and hence it may be employed manually for cleansing inside as well as outside surfaces of large as well as small utensils. In addition to advantageous and economical culinary use,it will be apparent that the holder will be useful in many industrial operations, as well as cleaning of laboratory equipment.

While the above is a preferred embodiment of my invention, the principal advantages thereof may be obtained in various modes of construction, such as the modifications shown in Figures '7 and 10 respectively. In both the modied versions it will be understood that the composition of the molded rubber body is the same as for the preferred form, containing as it would the essential composition enabling integrity of form, while permitting flexibility under pressure of the hand; and to enable a firmness of body, while enabling the body material to conform under substantial pressure to surfaces to be cleansed. This fiexibility, however, will not be so great as to eliminate the increased efficiency in use brought-about by providing the bodyportions of the modified forms, as is the body portion of the preferred form, with the various curved portions of characteristic radii for cleansing address to crevices and curved portions of utensils and other surfaces to be cleansed. The principal characteristic alterations manifested in the modified forms relate to design of the spring clamp, and the means for uniting the same in the assembly illustrated.

For example, in Figure '1 it will be apparent that the first modification dispenses with the coiled spring of the preferred form and substitutes therefor a substantially U-shaped spring element 50, which may be integral with lower plate 5 I The body ofthe holder is provided with an arcuate recess52 to accommodate the U- cause by pressing downwardly thereupon the normal urge of the spring may be overcome to raise jaw edge 59 to release the wad, asin replacement. The bottom plate 5l has toothed portions 62 projecting therebelow, such toothed p0rtions preferably being struck-out of the lower plate at plural spaced points, eight being shown. The purpose of the tooth portions 62 is to grip the body material and prevent accidentaldislocation of the clamp structure from the holder during normal vigorous scrubbing action thereby.

The pressure plate 58 is attached to the upper plate 55 by passing the latter through three brackets 61 (see Fig. 9) struck out of the pressure plate; the brackets tightly bind upon the upper plate 56 and thereby firmly secure the assembly. l

Referring to Figure 10, the second modification will be found to embody a different spring construction carried by the clamp bottom plate 51 held in by the groove l l. Spaced upright supu ports l2, 'l2 carry transverse shaft 'i3 upon which rotate spaced ears 14, 'M extending downwardly from pressure plate l5, the latter having a forward jaw portion l5, which engages with the wad of mineral wool, shown in dash lines. An ogee spring l1 is bound to bottom plate 5l by passing through struck-up portions 18 of the latter. The spring is passed over shaft 13, and bears upwardly upon the under surface 'l5 of the pressure plate l5, the tension of the spring being effective to urge the jaw 'l5 closed,

Fromthe foregoing, it will be observed that the body portions of my device are sanitary and comfortable for manual use, and will be durable, although subject to wear after along period of time. However, the clamp element may be actuated to open and close in replacing the Wad of steel wool, and the clamp element may be removed from a worn holder and readily inserted into a new holder without requiring any mechanical skill or adjustment. Inasmuch as all the cleansing wear is taken up either by the holder surfaces or the mineral wool, there is no occasion for wearing away the clamp and the same, therefore, may be used time and time again in successive holders.

When used alone as a wad of fabric only linger tip pressure can be applied, whereas. when used in the holder all the pressure one desires or is capable of exerting is applied over several times the area of the finger tips to greatly increase the speed of scouring and polishing.

In addition to increasing efficiency, use of the described holder constructions makes for cleanliness and prevents infection. For example, where steel or other wool s used in the kitchen, unless the lingers are protected the wool has a decided tendency to file away the nger nails down to the flesh. The steel wool quickly corrodes and disintegrates and infinitesimal particles become imbedded under or around the nails, not being discernible until infection sets in. This Serious difliculty is prevented by use of the holders described above.

As a ller for the rubber portion of the holder,

, 6 ground cork or other ller material may be used in lieu of wood our. In lieu of the rubber content of the holderany flexible plastic may be used which would bear loading with abrasives and under scouring action wouldv disintegrate at a rate'that Vwould insure abrasive particles being at the surface for effective scouring or polishing comparable to the rubber.

What I claim is:

l. A holder for mineral wool adapted to be held in the hand of the user, said holder having a solid end and an opposite recessed end, said recessed end being flattened at one portion, a flat clamp plate on the flat portion, a bead around said recessed end and a groove below said bead for xedly receiving said clamp plate.

2. An element for cleaning kitchen utensils said element being adapted to be held in the hand of the user and comprising a holder portion and a clamp portion, said clamp portion including a gripping jaw to grip an abrasive element held in said holder portion, and said holder portion having a recessed end, a bead at said recessed end, and a groove at said bead, the clamp portion being attached to said recessed end to lie in said groove under said bead.

3. An implement for cleaning kitchen utensils adapted to be held in the hand of the user and comprising a holder portion and a clamp portion, said clamp portion including a spring-urged gripping jaw to grip an abrasive element held in said holder portion, and said holder portion having a recessed end, a bead at said recessed end, the clamp portion being attached to said recessed end to lie under said bead.

4. An implement for cleansingkitchen utensils adapted to be held in the hand of the user and comprising a holder portion and a clamp portion, the holder portion having a recessed end and a bead at said recessed end, said clamp portion being attached to said recessed end under said bead and including an adjustable jaw, and a spring element for normally urging said jaw toward the bead to engage therebetween a cleansing element.

5. An. implement for cleansing kitchen utensils adapted to be held in the hand of the user and comprising a holder portion and a clamp portion, the holder portion having a recessed end and a vbead at said recessed end, said clamp portion being attached to said recessed end under said bead and including an adjustable jaw, and a spiral spring element for normally urging said jaw toward the bead to engage therebetween a cleansing element.

6. An implement for cleansing kitchen utensils comprising a holder portion and a clamp portion,

the vholder portion having a recessed end and a bead at said recessed end, said' clamp portion being attached to said recessed end undersaid bead and including an adjustable jaw, and an tion, said holder having a, solid end and an opposite recessed end, rigid clamping means secured in said recess in said recessed end for holding a pad of mineral wool seated in said recessed end, said holder being formed with a plurality of surfaces curved in diiering radii to correspond with various surfaces to be cleansed.

9. A holder for surface-cleansing mineral Wool molded of a rubber-like composition. containing an abrasive distributed throughout the composition to provide plural abrasive curved surfaces for the holder, said surfaces being curved on differing radii to correspond with various surfaces to be cleansed, said holder being substantially rectangularly shaped at one end, and being substantially Wedge-shaped terminating in a rounded bead at the other end.

GEORGE A. BEES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number 8 f UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Creahan Sept. 10, 1907 Melniker Dec. 27, 1927 Fitzpatrick July 2, 1929 Cahill Jan. 6, 1931 Field et al Nov. 8, 1932 Schulhoi Apr. 25, 1933 Jelliffe et al. May 15, 1934 Miller July 10, 1934 Henderson FebI 9, 1987 Anderson Apr. 25, 1939 Gerhan Jan. 7, 1947 De Semple Mar. 23, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Number Switzerland Jan. 2, 1920 

